‘Real Housewives’ star Jen Shah guilty to wire fraud charge
“Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” cast member Jen Shah pled guilty in federal court to a wire fraud charge stemming from a telemarketing operation.
Ariana Triggs, USA TODAY
“Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Heather Gay is finally revealing who gave her a black eye in the explosive Season 4 finale of the Bravo reality show.
Gay divulged that former castmate Jen Shah, who is currently in prison after pleading guilty to fraud, was responsible for the bruise on her face — but the “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” alum is denying the claims.
“BRAVO, if i punched Heather in her eye, you guys would have footage to prove it. It’s clear the show can’t live without me since I was brought up at the beginning, middle and end of season 4,” Shah wrote on her Instagram Story on Tuesday.
During an argument on the Season 4 finale Tuesday with current cast member Monica Garcia, who previously worked as Shah’s assistant before the ex-“Housewife” went to prison, Gay said Garcia’s behavior was similar to red flags she allegedly ignored from Shah.
Embattled former reality star Shah pleaded guilty to one count of fraud in July 2022 and was initially sentenced to six and a half years in prison for her role in a telemarketing scheme. Her sentence has been continually reduced since she began serving time, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
In Shah’s post on Tuesday, she claimed Bravo producer Andy Cohen is “still butt hurt” that she denied an interview with the host before she entered custody.
“Why would you sit down with someone who ‘gave’ another cast member a black eye? Next story,” she ended the post.
Who gave Heather Gay a black eye?
Gay claimed on the “RHOSLC” episode that Shah gave her the black eye that made waves throughout the season.
The “Bad Morman” author added: “I went on book tour and defended (Shah) and took (expletive) for the fact that she gave me a black eye. … I had to ride hard for her and I had to lie for her. We’re not going to do it again with you.”
‘Housewives’ star Jen Shah sentenced to 6.5 years in prison for telemarketing scheme
The explanation behind Gay’s black eye changed throughout Season 3. During the show’s reunion episode, Gay called the incident “humiliating” but would not say who she believed to be the culprit, despite previously telling cousin and castmate Whitney Rose that the women “all know what happened, I just think we don’t want to talk about it.”
She also alleged that she blacked out during the altercation. “I don’t know what happened,” Gay said. “I cannot speak to anything other than I walked to my room and I blacked out and I woke up with a black eye.”
Monica Garcia behind Reality Von Tease on ‘RHOSLC’
Gay likened Garcia’s alleged social media behavior to that of Shah when she was on the show, adding that she would not protect her anymore.
“We are friends, and we have been through this … before with Jen,” the Beauty Lab founder exclaimed as she accused Garcia of being the brainchild of a troll account Reality Von Tease. The account was created to criticize Shah and the other women.
When does ‘Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’ reunion air?
The three-part reunion for “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” — where the stars will “come face-to-face with one another for the first time since their trip to Bermuda,” per a network release — airs on Bravo Tuesday, Jan. 9 (8 ET/PT). Uncensored, extended reunion episodes are also available to stream the next day on Peacock.
Contributing: Jay Stahl
‘Real Housewives’ star Jen Shah pleads guilty in fraud case, producer Andy Cohen doesn’t ‘know how to feel’
Laura Davis is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Broadway, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
